Miss Neuse Kennedy Bryce Santes, daughter of Tim and LaDonna Dilday, Francisco Santes

A tradition since 1980 will continue Saturday.

The annual Miss Neuse Pageant is slated for 7 p.m. at the Kinston-Lenoir County Performing Arts Center. Doors will open an hour before the start of the program, and tickets can be purchased at the door for $20. Reserved tickets can be purchased from any contestant or Linda Nimmo for $15.

The reigning Miss Neuse, Kennedy Bryce Santes, will relinquish her title at the event and crown the new Miss Neuse.

“I'm super excited, as well as sad for the upcoming pageant on Saturday," Santes said. "This year has definitely been way too short, however, I am ready to see who the next title holder will be. Last year seemed unreal because I never prepared myself into thinking I might win. This year has showed me so many things because of winning Miss Neuse. It made me truly believe in myself and it also opened my eyes to get to know more about my community.

"I hope for the 2019 winner of this year will soak up every ounce of what it has to offer. I know she will be ready, whoever it might be. I have met and gotten to know all the girls so well, and I believe any one of them will be worthy."

“We have 15 beautiful, talented girls vying for the title of Miss Neuse,” program director Diane Howard said. “They have to complete an interview process, and then will have creative expression, talent and gown segments in the pageant. We’ll also be giving away $6,200 in scholarship money. I’ve been blessed to be with the program the whole time and it’s great meeting all the young people, seeing them involved in the community.”

All proceeds will benefit the Hugo Volunteer Fire Department. For information on purchasing tickets, contact Nimmo at 252-523-7953.

Here are the 15 contestants for the 2019 Miss Neuse Pageant